Shoe element with a toe divider and a widening clip

ABSTRACT

A shoe element (1) is shown, comprising a toe separator (2) which comprises a toe-separating projection (3) and which is formed in such a way that it is arranged between the first toe and the second toe. The toe-separating projection (3) comprises a fastening device which is designed for fastening a widening clip (10) to the toe-separating projection (3).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a shoe element comprising a toe-separating projection and a widening clip which can be fastened to the toe-separating projection. The invention also relates to the widening clip and to a set consisting of a shoe comprising a shoe element and at least one widening clip. The shoe element can for example be the sole of or for a shoe. The invention thus also relates to a shoe comprising a shoe element. Hallux valgus can be treated using the toe separator in accordance with the invention, which is arranged between the first (big) toe and the second toe. Hallux valgus is a deformity of the big toe which is often caused by predisposition and/or incorrect footwear. The big toe deviates outwards and/or laterally. This alters the direction in which the tendons pull, thus further increasing the displacement of the big toe.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Shoes comprising a toe separator are known in principle. There are for example sandals which comprise a band which spans the instep and which is connected to the shoe sole by means of a toe separator which extends between the big toe and the second toe.

EP 2 710 988 B1 discloses a shoe insole comprising a base element and at least one toe-separating web which is connected to the base element and projects from the plane of the base element. The at least one toe-separating web is displaceable distally and proximally with respect to the base element.

The invention is based on the object of specifying a shoe element which comprises an improved toe separator.

The object is met by the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments follow from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

The invention is based on a shoe element which comprises a toe separator comprising at least one toe-separating projection. The toe separator is formed in such a way that it is arranged between the first (big) toe and the second toe (the toe adjacent to the big toe), i.e. in the accommodating region for the first toe and the accommodating region for the second toe. The toe separator can in principle consist of the toe-separating projection only. A widening clip which can advantageously be fastened to the toe-separating projection forms the toe separator together with the toe-separating projection. The shoe element can for example be a shoe sole, in particular an insole or inner sole or an inserted sole. A shoe comprising such a shoe sole can for example comprise other sole elements in the shoe base, such as for example an outsole or a midsole. In example embodiments, the shoe sole which is formed as an insole or inner sole can be fastened to an outer sole and/or outsole of the shoe, in particular in a material fit, for example glued.

The toe-separating projection comprises a fastening device, such as for example a cavity and/or a passage which is designed for fastening a widening clip to the toe-separating projection. The fastening device can be formed such that the widening clip can be fastened to the toe-separating projection in a positive fit and/or in a force fit. Alternatively, the widening clip can be fastened to the toe-separating projection in a material fit, such as for example by an adhesive layer.

The directional indications used herein are to be understood as follows: “proximal” means the direction in which the heel faces; “distal” means the direction in which the tips of the toes face; “lateral” means towards the outer side of the body, i.e. towards the side of the sole of the foot or the side of the shoe on which the little toe is arranged; and “medial” means towards the medial plane of the body, i.e. towards the side on which the big toe is arranged.

The toe-separating projection can for example exhibit a length extending from the distal side to the proximal side which is greater than its thickness extending from the medial side to the lateral side. The toe-separating projection can also exhibit a height which is greater than its thickness extending from the medial side to the lateral side. The toe-separating projection can be generally formed to be plate-shaped or wall-shaped, and the plane of its wall can extend from the distal side to the proximal side and from top to bottom. The thickness of the toe-separating projection can be between 3 and 9 mm, preferably between 6 and 8 mm, more preferably about 7 mm.

In developments, the shoe element can be a shoe sole, in particular an insole or inner sole or an inserted sole, with which the toe-separating projection is integrally formed. The shoe sole can for example be made of plastic, such as for example a foamed plastic and/or polyurethane. This enables the shoe element including the toe-separating projection to be manufactured in an injection-moulding process.

An edge of the shoe sole can be raised in relation to a contact surface of the shoe sole provided for the sole of a foot. The edge of the shoe sole is raised at least such that the toes of the foot and/or the region of the shoe element provided for the toes is/are enclosed by the raised edge at least distally and preferably also laterally and/or medially. The toe-separating projection can extend proximally from the region of the edge located distally with respect to the toes, in particular protrude proximally from the region of the raised edge located distally with respect to the toes.

In developments, the region of the edge located distally with respect to the toes can transition into the toe-separating projection and/or the toe-separating projection can transition into the contact surface of the shoe element, in particular the shoe sole, provided for the sole of the foot.

The toe-separating projection or the fastening device of the toe-separating projection can comprise a passage, in particular a hole such as for example a hole having a circular cross-section, which extends from the medial side to the lateral side, wherein the passage is in particular adapted to be able to accommodate a locking element and/or a complementary locking element of the widening clip. The toe separator can comprise the widening clip, or the widening clip can be fastened to the toe-separating projection, wherein the widening clip comprises at least one laminar portion and is fastened to the fastening device of the toe-separating projection such that the thickness of the toe separator is greater than the thickness of the toe-separating projection. The thickness of the toe separator can thus be altered by attaching the widening clip and adjusted individually to the needs of the wearer. The fastening device can optionally comprise a cavity, formed by the toe-separating projection, for accommodating a protrusion formed on the widening clip. The cavity can be formed on the proximal edge of the toe-separating projection, preferably in the region in which the toe-separating projection transitions into the contact surface. The base of the cavity can be offset distally in relation to the proximal edge.

The invention also relates to the widening clip which can be attached to the toe-separating projection. The widening clip comprises at least one laminar portion and is designed to be fastened to the fastening device of the toe-separating projection such that the at least one laminar portion increases the thickness of the toe separator extending from the lateral side to the medial side or such that the thickness of the toe separator is greater than the thickness of the toe-separating projection. The toe-separating projection can for example comprise a flank facing the first toe and a flank facing the second toe. The at least one laminar portion of the widening clip can for example be fastened to the flank of the toe-separating projection facing the big toe or alternatively or additionally fastened to the flank of the toe-separating projection facing the second toe.

In an example embodiment, the widening clip can substantially consist of a laminar portion which is designed to be fastened to the fastening device of the toe-separating projection on the flank of the toe-separating projection facing the big toe or on the flank of the toe-separating projection facing the second toe, in particular in a positive fit and/or in a force fit or alternatively in a material fit. The widening clip or the laminar portion of the widening clip can for example comprise a complementary fastening element which can be fastened to the fastening device of the toe-separating projection. The complementary fastening element can for example be a first locking means, and the fastening device can be a second locking means, which can be locked to each other in a force fit and/or in a positive fit in order to fasten the widening clip to the toe-separating projection, in particular detachably or non-detachably. In embodiments in which the laminar portion is arranged on the flank of the toe-separating projection facing the big toe, the big toe can be splayed medially by the toe-separating projection in accordance with the thickness of the laminar portion by selecting a suitable thickness of the laminar portion. A deformity of the big toe (such as for example a hallux valgus) can thus be corrected.

In preferred embodiments, the widening clip comprises a first laminar portion and a second laminar portion which are connected via a flexible connecting portion. The widening clip can be arranged on the toe-separating projection such that the first laminar portion is arranged on the flank of the toe-separating projection facing the second toe, and the second laminar portion is arranged on the flank of the toe-separating projection facing the big toe. The first laminar portion can for example comprise a complementary fastening element which can be fastened to the fastening device of the toe-separating projection. Alternatively or additionally, the second laminar portion can comprise a complementary fastening element which can be fastened to the fastening device of the toe-separating projection. In preferred embodiments, the first laminar portion can comprise a locking element, for example a conical or domed locking element, and the second laminar portion can comprise a complementary locking element to which the locking element can be locked, preferably detachably. The first laminar portion and the second laminar portion can be pivotable with respect to each other about the flexible connecting portion such that the locking element and the complementary locking element can be moved into a locking engagement. The widening clip can thus be fastened to the toe-separating projection by at least partially enclosing the toe-separating projection. The locking element and/or the complementary locking element can extend through the passage of the toe-separating projection and be connected or locked to each other in order to establish a locking connection. The flexible connecting portion can cover or enclose the proximal edge of the toe-separating projection.

The flexible connecting portion can for example be constricted in relation to the height and/or thickness of the first and second laminar portions. This enables the laminar portions to be particularly advantageously pivoted with respect to each other about the flexible connecting portion. The flexible connecting portion can for example be formed as a film hinge. Due to the reduced thickness and/or reduced height of the flexible connecting portion, this portion can be structurally assigned as the bending region.

The invention also relates to a set, i.e. an assembly, which comprises a shoe element or a shoe comprising the shoe element and at least one widening clip as described herein. The shoe can for example be supplied together with one or more widening clips which are for example loosely enclosed with the shoe. The thickness of the toe separator can be adjusted depending on the needs of the wearer of the shoe. The shoe can for example be used with no widening clip, wherein the thickness of the toe separator then corresponds to the thickness of the toe-separating projection. If a different thickness is desired, the desired widening clip can be selected and attached to the toe-separating projection, wherein the thickness of the toe separator then corresponds substantially to the sum of the thicknesses of the toe-separating projection and the at least one laminar portion, in particular the first and second laminar portions.

Preferably, one widening clip can only ever be attached to the toe-separating projection. In order to alter the thickness of the toe separator, a widening clip which is attached to the toe-separating projection can be removed and as applicable exchanged for a widening clip, in particular one contained in the set, having a greater or lesser thickness. To this end, the locking connection of the widening clip to be removed can for example be released. In example applications, there can initially be no widening clip fastened to the toe-separating projection, wherein the smallest and/or thinnest widening clip in the set is fastened to the toe-separating projection in a subsequent step, wherein the widening clip currently fastened to the toe-separating projection in each case is exchanged for the next larger and/or next thicker widening clip in the set in additional subsequent steps.

The set can thus comprise multiple widening clips, wherein the at least one laminar portion of the multiple widening clips exhibits different thicknesses in order to be able to adapt the thickness of the toe separator, depending on the widening clip selected. A first, second and third widening clip can for example be contained in the set, wherein the toe separator can exhibit an additional thickness of 1 to 3 mm, such as for example 2 mm, in relation to the toe-separating projection by optionally attaching the first widening clip to the toe-separating projection, the toe separator can exhibit an additional thickness of 3 to 5 mm, in particular 4 mm, in relation to the toe-separating projection by attaching a second widening clip to the toe-separating projection, and the toe separator can exhibit an additional thickness of 5 to 7 mm, in particular 6 mm, in relation to the toe-separating projection by attaching a third widening clip to the toe-separating projection. The toe-separating projection with no widening clip attached can thus for example exhibit a thickness of 7 mm, wherein the thickness of the toe separator can be increased to about 9 mm by attaching the first widening clip, the thickness of the toe separator can be increased to about 11 mm by attaching the second widening clip, and the thickness of the toe separator can be increased to about 13 mm by attaching the third widening clip. These measurements are merely examples and can be varied depending on requirements.

In embodiments comprising a widening clip having a first and second laminar portion, the latter can exhibit the same thickness or different thicknesses in relation to each other. The increase in the thickness of the first laminar portion from the first widening clip to the second or third widening clip can be different from or equal to the increase in the thickness of the second laminar portion from the first widening clip to the second or third widening clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention has been described on the basis of preferred embodiments and examples. Particularly preferred embodiments are described below on the basis of figures. The features thus disclosed, individually and in any combination of features, advantageously develop the subject-matter of the claims. There is shown:

FIG. 1 a plan view onto a shoe element and/or shoe in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 a perspective sectional view of a first embodiment of a shoe element in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 the view from FIG. 2, with a widening clip attached;

FIG. 4 a perspective view of the widening clip from FIG. 3, when unfolded;

FIG. 5 the widening clip from FIGS. 3 and 4, when folded up; and

FIG. 6 a second embodiment in which the widening clip comprises a protrusion for accommodating in a cavity of the toe-separating projection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a shoe or shoe element 1, namely the insole or inner sole of or for a shoe, in a plan view. The shoe element 1 comprises a toe-separating projection 3 which extends proximally in the shape of a wall from the region of a raised edge 4 located distally with respect to the toes, and/or protrudes proximally from the region of the edge 4 located distally with respect to the toes. The edge 4 is raised in relation to a contact surface of the shoe element 1 provided for the sole of a foot, such that the toes of the foot are enclosed by the raised edge 4 at least distally and in the example shown also laterally and medially. The shoe element 1 and/or shoe is open towards the top in the region of the toes. In the region of the instep, the shoe element 1 comprises a band 5 which spans the shoe element 1 from the medial edge up to the lateral edge. The band 5 and/or the toe-separating projection 3 are formed integrally with the shoe element 1 and in particular manufactured in one piece in an injection-moulding process.

The toe-separating projection 3 is arranged such that when a foot is arranged in the shoe element 1, the toe-separating projection 3 is arranged between the first (big) toe and the second toe (the toe adjacent to the big toe).

FIGS. 2 to 5 show a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention which differs from the first embodiment only in that a widening clip 10 comprises a protrusion 14 and the toe-separating projection 3 comprises a cavity 3 c on its proximal edge 3 a for accommodating the protrusion 14. The first and second embodiment are otherwise identical, such that the description for one embodiment also applies correspondingly to the other embodiment.

As can best be seen from FIG. 2, the toe-separating projection 3 comprises a fastening device, namely a passage 3 b extending from the medial side to the lateral side, which is designed for fastening a widening clip 10 (FIGS. 3 to 6) to the toe-separating projection 3.

The widening clip 10 comprises a first laminar portion 11 and a second laminar portion 12 which are connected via a flexible connecting portion 13 which acts as a hinge (see for example FIG. 4). The first portion 11 and the second portion 12 can be pivoted with respect to each other about the flexible connecting portion 13 such that a locking element 15 formed on the first portion 11 and a complementary locking element 16 formed on the second portion 12 can be moved into a locking engagement, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4 and in FIG. 5. The locking element 15 is formed to be conical or domed. The complementary locking element 16 is formed as a locking cavity, in particular a locking socket.

In order to enlarge the toe separator 2, which in FIGS. 1 and 2 consists of the toe-separating projection 3 only, in terms of its thickness extending from the lateral side to the medial side, the widening clip 10 can be folded at least partially around the toe-separating projection 3, such that the locking element 15 and the complementary locking element 16 of the widening clip 10 are arranged in the passage 3 b, where they are locked to each other. This holds the widening clip 10 on the toe-separating projection 3. When the widening clip 10 is fastened to the toe-separating projection 3, the first portion 11 is situated on the flank of the toe-separating projection 3 facing the second toe, and the second portion 12 is situated on the flank of the toe-separating projection 3 facing the big toe. The thickness of the toe separator 2 thus corresponds substantially to the sum of the individual thicknesses of the first portion 11, the second portion 12 and the toe-separating projection 3. The connecting portion 13 is arranged proximally with respect to the proximal edge 3 a of the toe-separating projection 3 and surrounds the proximal edge 3 a of the toe-separating projection 3.

The widening clip 10 exhibits a constriction 13 a in relation to its height (see for example FIGS. 4 and 6) and/or its thickness (not shown) between the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 and/or in the region of the flexible connecting portion 13. The constriction 13 a means that the widening clip 10 exhibits a lower bending resistance moment in the region of the flexible connecting portion 13 than in the region of the first and second portions 11, 12. This enables the widening clip 10 to be specifically deformed in the region of the constriction 13 a and/or in the region of the flexible connecting portion 13 in order to attach it to the toe-separating projection 3.

As can be seen for example from FIGS. 3 and 6, the height of the toe-separating projection 3, which is in particular wall-shaped, decreases from the distal side to the proximal side. In relation to the height of the first and second portions 11, 12, the constriction 13 a can additionally take into account the decreasing height of the toe-separating projection 3—in particular, a smooth transition between the upper edge of the toe-separating projection 3 and the upper edge of the widening clip 10 can be formed.

As can best be seen from FIG. 6, the second embodiment comprises a protrusion 14 which, when the widening clip 10 is fastened to the toe-separating projection 3 as described above, engages with the cavity 3 c in a positive fit. This enables tilting by the widening clip 10 about an axis extending through the passage 3 b to be prevented even further. The cavity 3 c is formed on the proximal edge 3 a of the toe-separating projection 3, in particular in the region of the transition to the contact surface for the sole of the foot. The base of the cavity 3 c is distally offset in relation to the proximal edge 3 a of the toe-separating projection 3.

A shoe comprising a shoe element 1 as shown herein can for example be supplied with or without a widening clip 10. The shoe, the shoe element 1 and at least one widening clip 10 preferably form a set. If the set comprises only one widening clip 10, the user can decide whether the thickness of the toe-separating projection 3 is sufficient or whether they would like to increase the thickness of the toe separator. In order to increase the thickness of the toe separator 2, the widening clip 10 can be fastened to the toe-separating projection 3. If the set comprises multiple widening clips 10, the at least one laminar portion 11, 12 of the multiple widening clips 10 preferably exhibits different thicknesses, in order to be able to adapt the thickness of the toe separator 2 depending on the widening clip 10 selected. The first and second portions 11, 12 of a first widening clip 10 can for example each exhibit a thickness of about 1 mm, thus enabling the thickness of the toe separator 2 to be increased by about 2 mm. The portions 11, 12 of a second widening clip 10 can each exhibit a thickness of about 2 mm, thus enabling the thickness of the toe separator 2 to be increased by about 4 mm. The first and second portions 11, 12 of a third widening clip 10 can each exhibit a thickness of about 3 mm, thus enabling the thickness of the toe separator 2 to be increased by about 6 mm.

Providing a widening clip 10 for fastening to the toe-separating projection 3 opens up a variety of options. The shoe or the shoe element 1 can for example be supplied in a set together with multiple widening clips 10 having different thicknesses. The user can for example independently increase the thickness over time by attaching a thicker widening clip 10. Alternatively, a widening clip 10 or a set of widening clips 10 can be individually adapted to needs or a treatment, for example by an orthopaedic specialist.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 shoe element -   2 toe separator -   3 toe-separating projection -   3 a proximal edge -   3 b passage -   3 c cavity -   4 raised edge -   5 band -   10 widening clip -   11 first laminar portion -   12 second laminar portion -   13 connecting portion -   13 a constriction -   14 protrusion -   15 locking element -   16 complementary locking element 

1. A shoe element, comprising a toe separator which comprises a toe-separating projection and is formed in such a way that it is arranged between the first toe and the second toe, wherein the toe-separating projection comprises a fastening device which is designed for fastening a widening clip to the toe-separating projection.
 2. The shoe element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the toe-separating projection exhibits a length extending from the distal side to the proximal side which is greater than its thickness extending from the medial side to the lateral side.
 3. The shoe element according to claim 1, wherein the fastening device comprises a cavity, formed by the toe-separating projection, for accommodating a protrusion formed on the widening clip.
 4. The shoe element according to claim 3, wherein the cavity is formed on the proximal edge of the toe-separating projection , wherein the base of the cavity is distally offset in relation to the proximal edge.
 5. The shoe element according to claim 1, wherein the toe-separating projection or the fastening device comprises a passage extending from the medial side to the lateral side.
 6. The shoe element according to claim 1, wherein the toe separator comprises a widening clip which comprises at least one laminar portion and which is fastened to the fastening device of the toe-separating projection such that the thickness of the toe separator is greater than the thickness of the toe-separating projection.
 7. The shoe element according to claim 1, wherein the shoe element is a shoe sole with which the toe-separating projection is integrally formed.
 8. The shoe element according to claim 7, wherein an edge of the shoe sole is raised in relation to a contact surface of the shoe sole provided for the sole of a foot, such that the toes of the foot are enclosed by the raised edge at least distally.
 9. The shoe element according to claim 8, wherein the region of the edge located distally with respect to the toes transitions into the toe-separating projection and/or in that the toe-separating projection transitions into the contact surface of the shoe element for the sole of the foot.
 10. A widening clip for a shoe element, or a shoe element formed according to claim 1, which comprises at least one laminar portion and adapted to be fastened to the fastening device of the toe-separating projection, such that the at least one laminar portion increases the thickness of the toe separator extending from the lateral side to the medial side or such that the thickness of the toe separator (2) is greater than the thickness of the toe-separating projection.
 11. The widening clip according to claim 10, further comprising a first laminar portion and a second laminar portion which are connected via a flexible connecting portion.
 12. The widening clip according to claim 11, characterised in that the first laminar portion comprises a locking element and the second laminar portion comprises a complementary locking element to which the locking element can be locked, preferably or detachably locked, wherein the first laminar portion and the second laminar portion can be pivoted with respect to each other about the flexible connecting portion such that the locking element and the complementary locking element can be moved into a locking engagement.
 13. A set comprising a shoe comprising a shoe element according to claim 1 and at least one widening clip which comprises at least one laminar portion and adapted designed to be fastened to the fastening device of the toe-separating projection, such that the at least one laminar portion increases the thickness of the toe separator extending from the lateral side to the medial side or such that the thickness of the toe separator is greater than the thickness of the toe-separating projection.
 14. The set according to claim 13, characterised by multiple widening clips, wherein the at least one laminar portion of the multiple widening clips exhibits different thicknesses in order to be able to adapt the thickness of the toe separator, depending on the widening clip selected.
 15. The set according to claim 13, characterised by multiple widening clips, wherein the toe separator exhibits an additional thickness of 1 to 3 mm in relation to the toe-separating projection by attaching a first widening clip to the toe separating projection, the toe separator exhibits an additional thickness of 3 to 5 mm in relation to the toe-separating projection by attaching a second widening clip to the toe-separating projection, and the toe separator exhibits an additional thickness of 5 to 7 mm in relation to the toe-separating projection by attaching a third widening clip to the toe-separating projection.
 16. The shoe element according to claim 5, wherein the passage is adapted to be able to accommodate a locking element and/or a complementary locking element of the widening clip.
 17. The shoe element according to claim 7, wherein the shoe sole is an insole or inner sole.
 18. The shoe element according to claim 8, wherein the toes of the foot are enclosed by the raised edge also laterally and medially, wherein the toe-separating projection extends proximally from the region of the edge located distally with respect to the toes.
 19. The widening clip according to claim 11, wherein the flexible connecting portion is constricted in relation to the height and/or thickness of the first and second laminar portions.
 20. The widening clip according to claim 12, wherein the locking element is a conical or domed locking element. 